Man attacks officers during heroin traffic stop

DENVER, N.C. — Officers were attacked Friday when they arrested two people during a traffic stop in Denver after a three-month long narcotics investigation.

According to WCNC, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a vehicle on Old Plank Road that they knew to be returning from Charlotte.

Officers asked the four people to step out of the car, all complied except one.

Christopher Joseph Kapusta, 22, of Lincolnton, got out of the vehicle with clenched fists and attempted to attack the officers, authorities say.

Kapusta was “forcibly restrained” and taken into custody.

Authorities seized about three grams of heroin in the stop.

Kapusta is charged with one felony count each of possession of a controlled substance Schedule II with the intent to manufacture, trafficking in heroin or opium, conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance Schedule I.

His bonds total $100,000.

The driver of the vehicle, William Henry Czolba, 35, of Mooresville, who authorities say has sold drugs to undercover officers on numerous occasions over the last few months, is charged with one felony count each of possession of a controlled substance Schedule I, conspiracy and maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance. His bonds total $30,000.

The Sheriff’s Office says Czolba made multiple trips to Charlotte to transport heroin back to Lincoln and Catawba Counties.